Punch Shot

[iorwerth]

I find that I rarely, if ever, use the punch shot, and was wondering what kind of situations I should be thinking of using it in? What I find is that I allow for the wind with normal shots and club up or down if necessary or add a bit of loft/de-loft, so don't ever think about going for a punch shot. Am I missing out on something that will improve my game, or is using punch shots just a matter of style?

[TreeWood]

Apr 21, 2018 2:23:23 GMT -5 iorwerth said:

I find that I rarely, if ever, use the punch shot, and was wondering what kind of situations I should be thinking of using it in? What I find is that I allow for the wind with normal shots and club up or down if necessary or add a bit of loft/de-loft, so don't ever think about going for a punch shot. Am I missing out on something that will improve my game, or is using punch shots just a matter of style?

In real life, the punch shot is called for when you find yourself off the fairway and have overhanging tree branches that you’re worried about hitting with you next shot. It’s a low-trajectory ball that will have lots of rollout as a result. I’ve rarely had to use it, but there are times (like when you find yourself in a grove of trees) when a punch shot back to the fairway is the safer option. I do find, though that I sometimes need to further de-loft a punch shot in order to be low enough, or to scrub off speed by making the ball begin rollout earlier than it otherwise would.

[Deleted]

Interesting question... apart from when I need to stay under low branches I have teed off with it on short down hill par 3s that have a clear run to the pin. It’s nice to see it roll right up to the pin.

[CiB0RG]

The punch shot is really just intended to be a recovery shot. I use it quite a bit when my ball ends up underneath a tree line and I need to keep it low in order to gain some distance toward the green.

I can't say I've ever seen anyone else have a strategic use for it other than for recovery. I suppose you could possibly use it when you don't want your shot to be affected by a strong wind. Maybe someone here might have a fancy trick for it but it's generally not a common shot you would need to use as long as you are hitting your drives in the fairway.

[Deleted]

xboxclips.com/FRSTDWN/581d4c38-ab2d-4178-84c6-4ba471ab914f

Good example when you have to use it.

The problem with the punch shot in this game is after you hit it takes a huge bounce in the air. It needs to be toned down so it takes a bounce but not high in the air. It is like it hits a cart path.

[Art Vandelay]

When I played TW08 on PC I had a good friend that played a game called punch putt. That is all you were allowed to use, made for a fun, high scoring hilarious round. Usually only 9 holers, but was a blast.

[chilihotkey]

in game, only used to hit below branches/trees, think i have only used it 2-3 times so not common.


in reality a much more versatile shot as wind calculations isnt nearly as easy to do as in game:)
id say its also easier to do diffrent variations of a punch shot, very low as in tgc or more of a mix of a punch/normal that can often be used in wind or can also be that you might just feel more accurate with that kind of shot, a "punched" 6/7-iron used to be a go to shot for me on many par 3 even without difficult winds.

[grinder12000]

I think in 500;rounds i used it once.

[Tenahka]

I've used it a few times as a second shot into the green on windy rounds (as long as there's a clear line of fairway to the green). I find it more accurate in these situations.

[Deleted]

Jun 30, 2018 0:01:35 GMT -5 Tenahka said:

I've used it a few times as a second shot into the green on windy rounds (as long as there's a clear line of fairway to the green). I find it more accurate in these situations.

Interesting.  A true knockdown shot in high winds a la links style golf.

To be honest I use punch shots on rare occasion, but have done so in the past.  Mostly it occurs when in the heavy rough with trees overhead.  I am not getting to the green anyways, but I don't want to hit the overhanging branches, so I just want to advance it up the fairway.

[greyosprey]

Here's an example of me using a punch shot. Didn't like the distance, elevation, wind combination so went with a punch shot. I wasn't trying to take on the left side of the green, but it worked out. I usually don't do this well with the shot, but to make up for the nice approach I missed the putt.